Pete Etters

Branch Manager at the Wilmington Branch

NMLS #1796

Wilmington News

From the downtown river district and Riverwalk that skirts the storied Cape Fear River to the new and modern facilities that are remaking the riverfront’s skyline, Wilmington, NC is a must-see southern destination. Rivaling Charleston and Savannah in its charm and history and voted America’s Best Riverfront, Wilmington serves as the portal to all this area has to offer.

20 Reasons to join Land Home Financial

May 12, 2019

20 Reasons to join LHFS

Land Home is a privately-owned mortgage banker, opened in 1988. We strive to promote and live by a community-based philosophy with our external customers and internal LHFS community. Land Home Financial is committed to servicing its customers by providing home loan options that best fit their needs.

Have zero hits to price due to credit score or loan amount on FHA & USDA loans above 620?

Have zero price hits due to credit score or loan amount on VA loans over a 600?

Respect our Veterans by not charging any lender fees on VA Loans?

Is the Master Servicer of their own Down Payment Assistance suite of products?

Offer a 1% down Freddie loan with lender paid MI?

Offer DPA products down to a 620 score?

Offer a full suite of products for Manufactured Housing, including Construction to Perm?

Have an internal appraisal desk, thus eliminating the need for an AMC?

Has their own US based Contact Center that will call on behalf of your realtors to invite the public to their Open Houses?

Have a Boarding Department resource that helps you navigate and get acclimated during your first 120 days.

Has a one-page sheet of internal overlays? We U/W to the AUS Findings!!

Have over 5 Billion dollars in their Servicing Portfolio? Significant monthly cash flow!!

Locate your branch on “Main Street” in your community?

How many NO’s did you come up with? At Land Home Financial, we say YES to all of these and more.

With all these features, could you see yourself making more money? We would enjoy the opportunity to have a confidential conversation to see if Land Home Financial is a fit for you!

Deciding the Best Place to Find a Home

April 20, 2019

Best Place to Find a Home

When you’re deciding the best place to find a home it can be said that “home is where the heart is.” Here are the most important factors to help you find a home that suits the needs of you and your family.

1. Affordability

No matter what your pay grade is, living comfortably and within your means should be your first concern. Affordability includes more than just housing expenses; the prices for consumable goods, like groceries, vary greatly from town to town. The price of gasoline, utility services including electric and water, and taxes, also varies.

2. Taxes

There are 40 states provide property tax credits or homestead exemptions that can provide homeowners with some additional tax relief. Consider local sales tax, income tax, and tax credits and exemptions when you’re looking for the perfect place to find a home.

3. Employment Opportunities

Employment opportunities vary from state to state and city to city, so spend some time researching the job markets in different areas of the country. Start by analyzing quality employment opportunities within your industry, then determine where the highest concentration of these jobs are located. Income levels for jobs can vary greatly from state to state. Do your research before you move, and ideally, find a job before you relocate.

4. Real Estate Value

Since buying a home is the single largest investment you will probably ever make, you need to seriously consider this factor. With real estate in a constant state of flux, it’s important to research current home prices, the length of time homes are for sale, the resale values of homes, and probable long-term value estimates.

5. Crime Rates and Statistics

No one wants to live in a high-crime area, but that doesn’t mean that everyone can live in a Utopian society where crime never happens. By researching the crime rates and statistics for various areas, you can learn more about the safety of a town or neighborhood.

Keep in mind that just because an area is safe today does not guarantee that it will be safe in the future. The long-term stability for a neighborhood can be a determining factor in how safe your surroundings are. Also, consider the future development of a particular location as you narrow down your choices.

6. Proximity to Family and Friends

If extended family and friends are important to you, choose to find a home either within driving distance or within a reasonable distance by plane. Otherwise, you’ll constantly feel torn, and likely spend all of your vacation time and energy shuttling back and forth to visit friends and family.

7. Climate

The climate plays a large role in our lives as it impacts our hobbies, behavior, and sometimes even our jobs. Living in the climate in which you are most comfortable contributes to your mental health, so choose wisely!

8. Education System

A good education is essential to setting up children to better handle the rest of their lives, so the importance of good schools cannot be overstated.

9. Culture

If you crave constant cultural stimulation, you definitely want to choose a place that has a lot of cultural offerings. Many people need to be near their favorite team, or a vibrant music scene or the theater. If you have a favorite hobby or recreational activity, make sure that you can continue to pursue these interests when you find a home. Finally, if you enjoy being around a specific religious or ethnic community with your same beliefs and interests, this should be a factor in where you choose to live.

10. Commute Time and Public Transportation Options

The explosive growth of the suburbs surrounding metropolitan areas have made commuting times in many areas unbearable. The length of time it takes to get to work can be a determining factor when deciding on where to find a home. A good public transportation system is a major plus when choosing a place to live.

11. Food Options

If you’re a foodie, you may want to try to find a home to live in near the ocean or near a metropolitan city center. Grocery store fare, while plentiful, doesn’t replace the quality of fresh food from the ocean or fresh produce from the farmers’ market. If eating locally and sustainably is important to you, consider whether you can pursue this lifestyle in your new home.

12. Town or City Size

If you enjoy a friendly wave from everyone you pass while driving to the post office, then a smaller town is definitely for you. If you wish to remain relatively anonymous, find a home in a larger town or a big city is better suited to your personality.

13. Healthcare Facilities

Healthcare facilities are important at any stage in life, but they are especially relevant if you have children or if you are nearing retirement age. Easy access to good healthcare can increase your quality of life exponentially, so be on the lookout for towns and cities with good hospitals and medical schools. Often, there will be a correlation between cities and the quality of the healthcare.

14. Proximity to an Airport

If you travel a lot, you may need to live within close proximity of an airport. If you live more than an hour away from the closest airport, traveling to and from the airport can become very time-consuming and expensive. If you spend a healthy amount of time traveling, definitely consider the distance to the airport.

In closing

The reality of choosing a new place to live encompasses an incredibly large series of factors, all competing for your attention. In order to be successful in your search, you must determine what is most important to you and your family, do your homework, and then continue to be vigilant in your search until you find the right place to live. It can be intimidating and frustrating at times, but all that effort is worth it in the end once you are settled in your ideal location. Happy hunting!

9 Tips to Get Money for a Down Payment

April 1, 2019

Get Money for a Down Payment

Whether you’re purchasing an existing home, building a new home or planning to fix up an older home, you’re probably excited about the prospect of closing the deal and moving in.

Not so fast. Buying a home is an expensive proposition – the biggest investment that most families ever make. While you aren’t required to cover the entire purchase price up front, you do need most times to come up with a down payment before you can close on your home.

The Biggest Closing Cost of All

Most line items are small change compared with probably the biggest closing expense of all: your down payment. This is because your down payment is a key part of the offer you present to the seller. The general rule of thumb is simple: the larger the down payment, the stronger the offer. More precisely: the greater the down payment’s share of the total purchase price, the more likely the seller is to accept.

Tips and Tricks to Save

1. Determine Your Expected Down Payment and Timeframe

First, figure out about how big your down payment will be.

Down payment size is a function of three overlapping factors: your desired initial loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, your time horizon (when you want to buy), and local housing market conditions. When people talk about budgeting for a future home purchase, they generally refer to list prices: “We’re willing to pay $300,000,” or “We can afford $250,000, but no more.”

However, on the matter of affordability, the most important number is the down payment amount. If you can’t cobble together a $50,000 down payment on a $250,000 house (or a $400,000 house, if you’re putting down less than 20%), then you can’t really afford the house.

Lastly, don’t completely deplete your bank account to buy your dream home. It’s wise to have at least three months’ income in liquid savings as an emergency fund, regardless of your near- or long-term goals. Six months is even better.

2. Shrink Your Required Down Payment With a Special Loan

If you’re looking to buy on an accelerated timetable, live in an expensive housing market, or doubt your ability to save for a 20% down payment on an acceptable house in your target neighborhood, look into special loan programs with lower down payment requirements.

Beyond program-specific requirements, these special loans have some important drawbacks. Perhaps most importantly, they carry Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) premiums until LTV reaches 78% (though you can formally request PMI removal at 80% LTV).

3. Take Advantage of LHFS Down Payment Assistance Programs

Relatively few prospective homeowners realize that they could qualify for national down payment assistance programs that can reduce their out-of-pocket down payment costs by thousands of dollars.

4. Pay Off Outstanding Credit Card Debt

For many folks, paying off credit card debt is a high-priority goal. Even the low APR Credit Cards usually charge interest rates north of 10% APR. On an average balance of $1,000, that’s $100 in interest charges each year. If your debt load is higher, adjust accordingly.

5. Set Aside a Portion of Your Tax Refund

Expecting a tax refund this year? Reserve a slice of it to reward yourself for all your hard work last year – a nice restaurant meal, a frugal weekend getaway, a new piece of furniture for your home. Enjoy it.

Then sock the rest of your refund away in your down payment fund. If you reliably receive a $3,000 refund, spend $1,000, and save the rest, you’ll have $6,000 after three years, and $10,000 after five. That probably won’t account for your entire down payment, but it can’t hurt.

6. Make Recurring Savings Deposits

Knowing you need to set money aside each month is one thing. Actually doing it is another. Set yourself a calendar reminder on the same day each month or pay period to transfer a set amount of money – at least 5% of your take-home pay, and ideally 10% – into your primary savings account. You can then separate the share allotted to your down payment from your general savings or other savings goals. Or, better yet, create a separate savings account whose sole purpose is to hold your down payment funds.

7. Automate Your Savings Deposits

What’s even better than recurring savings account deposits? Automated savings account deposits that you don’t have to remember to execute each month. Most banks allow recurring savings transfers from internal or external checking accounts. Examine your budget and determine how much you can afford to save each pay period or month, and then make it happen, preferably on the same date (or the day after) you receive your paycheck or direct deposit.

8. Withdraw from Your IRA Without Penalty

Under certain conditions, your retirement account can serve as a supplemental funding source for your down payment.

This isn’t free money, of course. If you have a traditional IRA, you need to pay taxes on the withdrawn amount at your overall rate – 28% in the 28% bracket, and so on. On a Roth IRA held for longer than five years, your withdrawal is tax-free, because you’ve already paid taxes on the contribution.

If you and your spouse both have IRAs, you can both withdraw up to $10,000, for a total of $20,000. Depending on the projected size of your down payment, that could be a sizable boost. And, on Roth IRAs held longer than five years, you can withdraw tax- and penalty-free contributions in excess of $10,000, though any withdrawn earnings are taxable at your normal rate.

However, you also have to consider the opportunity cost of taking that money out of your account, potentially for years (by the time you make additional contributions to cover your withdrawal).

9. Take a 401k Loan

You can also borrow from employer-sponsored 401k or fund your down payment. On 401k loans, borrowing limits are much more generous: You can borrow up to the lesser of $50,000 or half the value of the account. That’s enough to fund a 20% down payment on a $250,000 house, or a 10% down payment on a $500,000 house.

However, the devil is in the details. You have to pay back your 401k loans, with interest – typically at 2% above the prime rate. On larger loans, that means several years’ worth of three-figure monthly payments and several thousand in interest charges. Plus, if you take out a 401k loan before applying for a mortgage loan, your credit utilization ratio will spike, which could raise your mortgage loan’s interest rate or cause the bank to think twice about lending to you in the first place.

As a general rule of thumb, 401k loans are useful in two situations: for funding small down payments ($5,000 or less) in their entirety or as the last piece of a multi-year, multi-source down payment funding strategy.

Final Word

Your house might be the single biggest purchase you ever make, but it won’t be the only big-ticket item you ever buy. Unless you can comfortably live without a car, you’re likely to buy a used vehicle every few years. If you have kids, you’ll need to budget for their education. Once you’re ensconced in your home, you’ll probably want to make sensible improvements that enhance its value or accommodate your growing family. And, all the while, you need to have enough set aside for the unexpected.

Every one of these items, and many others not mentioned here, demand a measured, thought-out savings strategy. As you notch small victories in your quest to cobble together a down payment for your dream home, don’t neglect your other goals – whether you’re aiming to reach them next month, next year, or next decade.

6 Tips to Get Approved for a Home Mortgage Loan

March 18, 2019

Some people don’t know the first thing about getting a mortgage loan. Applicants who don’t recognize key differences in the application process from anything they’ve applied for are often disappointed when a lender denies their mortgage loan application. Here’s six tips to help you get approved.

Educating yourself is key, and there are a number of ways to avoid this heartache and disappointment when applying for a mortgage loan.

Getting Your Mortgage Loan Approved

Buying a house is already stressful and being ill-prepared heightens the anxiety. Why put yourself through this? Learn how to think like a lender and educate yourself on the best ways to get your mortgage loan approved:

1. Know Your Credit Score

It literally takes a few minutes to pull your credit report and order your credit score. But surprisingly, some future home buyers never review their scores and credit history before submitting a home loan application, assuming that their scores are high enough to qualify. And many never consider the possibility of identity theft. However, a low credit score and credit fraud can stop a mortgage application dead in its tracks.

Credit scores and credit activity have a major impact on mortgage approvals. In addition to higher credit score requirements, several missed payments, frequent lateness, and other derogatory credit information can stop mortgage approvals. Pay your bills on time, lower your debts, and stay on top of your credit report. Cleaning up your credit history beforehand and correcting errors on your report are key to keeping up a good credit score.

2. Save Your Cash

Requirements for getting a mortgage loan often change, and if you are considering applying for a home loan in the near future, be ready to cough up the cash. Walking into a lender’s office with zero cash is a quick way to get your home loan application rejected. Mortgage lenders are cautious: Whereas they once approved zero-down mortgage loans, they now require a down payment.

Down payment minimums vary and depend on various factors, such as the type of loan and the lender. Each lender establishes its own criteria for down payments but aim for a higher down payment if you have the means. Lenders attach this extra insurance to properties without 20% equity, and paying PMI increases the monthly mortgage payment. Get rid of PMI payments and you can enjoy lower, more affordable mortgage payments.

Additionally, down payments aren’t the only expense you must worry about. Getting a mortgage also involves closing costs, home inspections, home appraisals, title searches, credit report fees, application fees, and other expenses. Closing costs are roughly 3% to 5% of the mortgage balance – paid to your lender before you can seal the deal. Not to mention, the new furnishings that you will be eager to buy to fill empty spaces. Be careful and wait for at least three months until you settle in and understand the full picture.

3. Stay at Your Job

Sticking with your employer while going through the home buying process is crucial. Any changes to your employment or income status can stop or greatly delay the mortgage process.

Lenders approve your home loan based on the information provided in your application. Taking a lower-paying job or quitting your job to become self-employed throws a wrench in the plans, and lenders must reevaluate your finances to see if you still qualify for the loan.

4. Pay Down Debt and Avoid New Debt

You don’t need a zero balance on your credit cards to qualify for a mortgage loan. However, the less you owe your creditors, the better. Your debts determine if you can get a mortgage, as well as how much you can acquire from a lender. Lenders evaluate your debt-to-income ratio when approving the mortgage. If you have a high debt ratio because you’re carrying a lot of credit card debt, the lender can turn down your request or offer a lower mortgage.

Paying down your consumer debt before completing an application lowers your debt-to-income ratio and can help you acquire a better mortgage rate. But even if you’re approved for a mortgage with consumer debt, it’s important to avoid new debt while going through the mortgage process.

As a rule, avoid any major purchases until after you’ve closed on the mortgage loan. This can include financing a new car, purchasing home appliances with your credit card, or cosigning someone’s loan.

5. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage loan before looking at houses is emotionally and financially responsible. On one hand, you know what you can spend before bidding on properties. And on the other hand, you avoid falling in love with a house that you can’t afford.

The pre-approval process is fairly simple: Contact a mortgage lender, submit your financial and personal information, and wait for a response. Pre-approvals include everything from how much you can afford, to the interest rate you’ll pay on the loan. The lender prints a pre-approval letter for your records, and funds are available as soon as a seller accepts your bid. Though it’s not always that simple, it can be.

6. Know What You Can Afford

I know from personal experience that lenders do pre-approve applicants for more than they can afford. After receiving a pre-approval letter from our lender, my husband and I wondered whether they had read the right tax returns. We appreciated the lender’s generosity, but ultimately decided on a home that fit comfortably within our budget.

Don’t let lenders dictate how much you should spend on a mortgage loan. Lenders determine pre-approval amounts based on your income and credit report; however, they don’t factor in how much you spend on daycare, insurance, groceries, or fuel. Rather than purchase a more expensive house because the lender says you can, be smart and keep your housing expense within your means.

Final Thought

If you don’t meet the qualifications for a mortgage loan, don’t get discouraged. Instead, let it be motivation to improve your credit and finances. Many people have risen above credit problems, bankruptcy, foreclosure, and repossession specifically in order to purchase their first house. Just be sure to implement a realistic plan and stick to it.

Wilmington Real Estate 2019 Snapshot

March 1, 2019

Real Estate Forecast 2019

Wilmington, North Carolina is a strategically positioned port city that benefits immensely from its beach access. It serves as the main hub for the entire state to receive goods by ocean trade. That said, the city’s economic outlook is in good standing and continues to support a healthy housing market.

Average Sold Price is about $270,720

According to Realtor.com, the average home price in the Wilmington real estate market is approximately $389,651. Surprisingly, the region’s home values are 61.9 percent higher than subsequent sold prices. The average sold price is about $240,720, according to MLS data. With such a big difference between values and what homes are actually selling for, Wilmington is a strong buyer’s market. The amount of available inventory exceeds current demand. Buyers have the advantage over sellers due to the abundance of homes on the market, with homes often selling at reduced prices.

Wilmington Market Appreciation Rate

Information provided by Zillow suggests that homes in the Wilmington real estate market have appreciated by as much as 2.8 percent in the last year. Wilmington’s appreciation rate is, however, less than half that of the national average last quarter. Experts expect the coming year to continue a trend of positive price growth, albeit a slightly tempered one. In the next 12 months, experts expect homes in the Wilmington real estate market to appreciate a modest 2.1 percent.

Wilmington real estate is only a part of the 3,396,382 properties and 84,666 homes for sale in North Carolina. As a result, the average home price and average home value of Wilmington also influence the average home price ($206,862) and average sale price ($222,875) of the entire state. That said, homes in Wilmington bring up the average value of North Carolina real estate.

In Summary

For all intents and purposes, the Wilmington real estate market has made great strides since the worst of the recession. Home prices have shown sustainable growth and the job sector looks to be able to handle the growing population. There is little to suggest that Wilmington won’t prosper in the coming years.

The Power Purchase Program

February 15, 2019

The Power to Purchase

Power Purchase Program:

LHFS is launching our personalized Power Purchase Program that is competitively priced conventional loan program that requires only a 1% down payment from the homebuyer. Combined with a 2 % Power Purchase grant, the 3% combined equity results with a 97% eligible conforming loan. This program is available for both 1st time homebuyers and repeat homeowner buyers on their primary residence. Refinance transactions are not eligible.

First mortgage must meet FHLMC Home Possible Advantage eligibility. Effective 10.01.2017 the 2% Grant funds will be provided by a Non-Profit agency vs. the LHFS Funding It Forward. To be aware of: Conforming loan amounts only, no manual underwriting allowed, manufactured Housing is not allowed, additional subordinate financing not allowed, LTV 97.00%/CLTV 97.00% only, 100% AMI Income Limit Cap and a benefit of having Mortgage Insurance that is lower than 25% coverage cost vs. standard 30% on a 97% LTV!

* Score over 720 will have a lower MI factor vs. Government products
* Score 620-719, please refer to the MI quote for monthly factor

Power Purchase Program Manufactured Housing

LHFS is launching our personalized Power Purchase Program for Manufactured Housing that is competitively priced conventional loan program that requires only a 5% down payment from the homebuyer. Combined with a 2 % Power Purchase gift, the 5% combined equity results with a 95% eligible conforming loan. This program is available for both 1st time homebuyers and repeat homeowner buyers on their primary residence. Refinance transactions are not eligible.

*Please note all percentages and statements are subject to change based on regulations that may arise. The use of hypothetical, predictive, and current statements, by Land Home Financial Services are meant to illustrate current operation standards.

Corporate Community Lending Program

January 30, 2019

Corporate Community Lending Program

Land Home Financial Services, Inc was founded on helping stabilize families and companies by providing unmatched specialized lending services. As a Direct Community Seller & Servicer of lending products we have opportunities to create and serve companies with our Corporate Community Lending Program.

Set Your Business Apart

Provide you employees with this exclusive program and receive these benefits:

Customized Branded Landing Page for your website

Dedicated Phone Line and Email for timely and personalized customer service

Reduced Lender Fees for your employees

Homebuyer Education and Preparation Services

Down Payment Assistance Programs

Your Company’s Unique Value Proposition

Research shows that employees who work for companies that provide programs that assist in the education and facilitation of homeownership, experience:

Corporate Benefits Package

We are proud to become your Corporate Community Lending Partner. Contact our office TODAY – see how easy it is to GET STARTED!

Choose Land Home Financial as Your Preferred Builder

January 23, 2019

Preferred Lender for All Builders

What we found working with many other builders is that they usually have their own lender and then a list of three preferred builder lenders to choose from if their in-house lender cannot approve them they select from the Alternative List.

As a builder you can’t afford to NOT have us as one of your Preferred Lenders and here’s why…

We’re a Direct Lender – servicing our own loans.

4% Grant for primary home buyers up to $454,100.00

We offer both state and local bond assistance programs.

Our “Power Purchase” program with 1% down for frst time home buyers.

USDA, FHA & Conventional Loans.

VA loans with no lender fees.

We have a Builder Processing Center specialized for builders providing status updates.

We offer extended rate lock for 6-months during the building process.

We Help with “Turn Downs”

Additionally, we have a about a 70% conversion rate on “turn downs” from already built homes from the following builders: Lennar, Pulti, Park Square, KB Homes, DR Horton, Snow Construction, Meritage, Minto & Toll Brothers and am very confident we can do the same with your organization.

*Please note all percentages and statements are subject to change based on regulations that may arise. The use of hypothetical, predictive, and current statements, by Land Home Financial Services are meant to illustrate current operation standards.

We Hire the Best

January 7, 2019

Do You Have What it Takes?

Land Home Financial Services, Inc has been helping individuals, couples and families get pre-approved for a home mortgage, offering the “right” mortgage for their situation and expediting the mortgage process as efficient as possible. We deliver from “pre-approval to close” with unmatched service by providing the right product and “Hiring the Best” in the industry! Our Loan Originators and Support Staff are focused on getting the mortgage closed properly as quick as possible!

And Here’s Why:

We service our own loans & bonus our LO’s year over year from the servicing

Company paid assistances to support each branch

Coaching & Training available for experienced Originators

We have our own Appraisal Desk – no AMC

Little to no Over-Lays (we go by AUS)

Originators can submit TBD files for Underwriting

LO’s submits directly to Underwriter to expedite Loan Commitments

We support our Originators offering DPA Loans

Our Underwriters actually call you to avoid suspending a file

Our processors chase conditions, not our Originators

If you live in Florida, have originated a minimum of 24 loans or more for at least 2 years – then WE Need to Talk!

Contact me ANYTIME including after hours or weekends!

Direct 407.625.9093

Vincent.Ortiz@lhfs.com

3 Most Common Real Estate Markets

December 17, 2018

1) A Balanced Florida Real Estate Market

A balanced real estate market is where both the supply and demand for homes and condos in a particular area is roughly equal. In a balanced real estate market there is about a six month supply of homes on the market.

A balanced real estate market is not something that usually happens for a long period of time in Florida. But that’s okay really, it’s usually just a threshold that is passed as Florida is transitioning from a buyer’s market to a seller’s market or vice-versa. The odds are that you will not likely move to Florida when it’s a balanced market.

2) A Florida Buyer’s Market

A buyers market in Florida happens when there are more people who what to sell (often to leave the state) than there are people who want to buy. During a buyer’s market in Florida there will be more than a six month supply of homes for sale. This means there will usually be a lot of homes to chose from in your price range.

Because the supply of homes exceeds the demand for them in a Florida buyer’s market, buyers can take their time when shopping for a home because homes will sit on the market for many months, possibly a year or longer without selling. Buyers may not want to be too eager to make an offer because sellers will often reduce their prices. Even if they don’t drop the price, more sellers are willing to entertain low offers because they have no idea how long it may be until the next offer comes along, if at all. And that offer may even be lower.

In a strong buyers market, you will notice morefor sale signs appearing on more homes every week. Those new listings may also be priced lower than existing for-sale homes in the area thereby pressuring those older sellers to reduce their price in order to compete. Buyer’s markets can be lots of fun for buyers but not much for sellers and real estate brokers.

The best time to buy in Florida is during one of the many frequent buyer’s market’s, when homes and condos are selling at steep discounts of 30% or more and there’s more homes coming on the market every day.

3) A Florida Sellers Market

A seller’s market is when there are more buyers looking for homes and condos in an area than there are properties for sale. When this happens, sellers can expect to sell their home in less that six months. In a strong seller’s market a nice home may sell within weeks, days or even hours.

When there are more buyers than available homes, prices go up. In Florida, it’s not uncommon for demand to far outstrip the supply of homes for sale and push list prices skyward. During a strong seller’s market you may notice fewer for sale signs in the front yard of homes every week.

Seller’s markets are not fun for buyers. Prices are high. There is less inventory to chose from. Buyers may feel pressured to buy now because if they don’t prices may even be higher next month. During strong seller’s markets, many buyers may end up paying far more than they want for a home they really don’t like very much, simply because they believe it will be even worse if they don’t act now.

Strong Seller’s markets are fun for sellers, real estate agents that can still successfully compete for listings as inventory gets scarce, flippers (investors that buy homes, do no or minimal improvements, then jack up price and put it right back on the market) and new construction builders.

Regardless of “where” the market is, becoming a home can be the rewarding feeling knowing that you are stabilizing your family’s future and creating a legacy of building wealth and living the American Dream. We are standing by ready to help you achieve your home dreams!

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Land Home Financial Services, Inc. is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. The rates, loan programs, fees, options and guidelines in any loan scenario shown: (i) are for illustrative purposes only; (ii) are subject to change without notice; (iii) are subject to restrictions; (iv) will not apply to all borrowers or situations; and (v) do not represent a commitment to lend. Contact a Mortgage Loan Originator for details. Land Home operates only in states where it is authorized to conduct business./Branch location: /1000 N. Magnolia Ave, Suite B, Orlando, FL 32803. NMLS #1489961. Licensed by the FL Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) (Mortgage Lender Servicer Branch License #MLDB4582); CA Department of Business Oversight (DBO) under the Residential Mortgage Lending Act (#41DBO-65299), DBO telephone 866-275-2677. Corp. NMLS #1796.To view states licenses go to NMLS Consumer Access
www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

This site is not authorized by the New York State Department of Financial Services. No mortgage loan applications for properties located in the state of New York will be accepted through this site.